News and Information

October 16, 2012

Harrison Medical Center to affiliate with Franciscan Health System

Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton has signed a non-binding letter of intent to affiliate with the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System to expand services, improve the delivery and quality of care, and broaden access to services for individuals, employers and communities in the South Puget Sound and on the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas.

Leaders of the two nonprofit health systems expect to complete the affiliation process by June 30, 2013.

With an affiliation with Franciscan, Harrison will become part of an integrated health system with nearly 11,000 employees, 2,000 medical staff members and projected annual net revenues of $2 billion. The affiliation will enable physicians and employees at Harrison and Franciscan to collaborate and innovate in order to improve the delivery of efficient and effective inpatient, outpatient and in-home care across a broad geographic region.

“Harrison Medical Center and Franciscan Health System share similar cultures, values and goals,” said David Veterane, chair of the Harrison Medical Center Board of Directors. “We see this relationship as a way to expand the good work that has been done in our community for the past 95 years.”

“We can enhance the services that we offer and build on the economies of scale that a larger organization can provide,” said Harrison Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Bosch. “In light of upcoming national reforms, this partnership helps ensure we keep our enduring promise of exceptional health care to the residents of the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas and North Mason County.”

Franciscan Health System Chief Executive Officer Joe Wilczek added: “An affiliation between our organizations will benefit the community for generations. Both Harrison and Franciscan have long traditions of service. Each provides health care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Our shared mission and values, as well as our shared commitment to excellence, will allow us to work together to better serve residents throughout the region.”

The letter of intent is the first step in the affiliation process. The affiliation must be approved by both the Harrison and Franciscan boards and will be reviewed by the Washington State Department of Health and other regulatory agencies before taking effect. The integration of the two organizations is expected to take place over time according to a plan that will be developed during the next phase of the affiliation process.

Affiliation discussions were prompted by the changing national and local health care environments, combined with the need to ensure that exceptional health care is available for residents of Harrison’s service area well into the future. This relationship will achieve that goal.

Harrison entities that will be part of the affiliation with Franciscan include Harrison Medical Center campuses in Bremerton and Silverdale, Harrison’s Urgent Care Centers in Belfair and Port Orchard, Harrison HealthPartners medical group, and Harrison Home Health. The Harrison Foundation will remain independent. Harrison, which has about 2,400 employees, is the largest private employer in Kitsap County. It has a medical staff of more than 400 physicians representing 40 medical specialties. Founded in 1918, Harrison has evolved from a small community hospital into a regional medical center serving patients from Kitsap, North Mason, Clallam and Jefferson counties, with locations in Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Belfair, Poulsbo and Forks. To learn about Harrison’s many health care services, call 866-844-WELL or visit www.harrisonmedical.org.